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THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,! 


# 


Princeton,  N.  J. 


*^ 


J      Bequeathed  by  the  Hon.  E.  BOUDINOT,  LL.D.     1| 


('(fs<\    Division.,.. 


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■^ 


A  VALEDICTORY   DISCOURSE; 


DELIVERED 


AT  THE 


SOUTH  CHURCH  IN  PORTSMOUTH, 
NEWHAMPSHIRE, 

XI  AUGUST,    MDCCCV. 


BY  TIMOTHY  ALDEN,  JUNIOR, 

COLLEGIATE    PASTOR 
WITH    THE    REVEREND    SAMUEL    HAVEN,  ».  V2 

■■t;:;::;:;:;;;;^:^®  ■>:;■;;;;;;;;;;;;;»> 


AFFECTIONATELY   INSCRIBED 

TO    THE    CHURCH    AND   CONGREGATION 

OF    THE    SOUTH     PARISH    IN    PORTSMOUTH,    WITH 

THE     DESIRE     THAT    IT     MAY     BE    INSTRUMENTAL    IN 

CHERISHING     THAT     HARMONY   AND    LOVE,   WHICH 

HAVE    BVER    SUBSISTED    BETWEEN  THEM    AND 

THE   AUTHOR. 


PRINTED  BY  W.  'AND  D.  TREADWELL; 
•  PORTSMOUTH,  1805, 


I  if 

REVEREND  MR.  ALDEN'S 

VALEDICTORY    DISCOURSE, 

XI  AUGUST,  MDCCCV. 


DEARLY    BELOVED, 

1  NOW  address  you,  probably  for  the  last  time,  as  a  pastor  of  this 
Church. 

Six  years  are  elapsed  since  I  had  the  happiness  to  commence  my 
labors  among  you,  as  a  minister  of  the  religion  of  Jesus.  It  gives  me  the 
highest  satisfaction  to  be  able,  from  a  retrospective  view,  to  remark,  that, 
during  such  a  period,  we  have  continued  together  in  harmony  and  love  ; 
and  that  it  is  NO  ROOT  OF  BITTERNESS  SPRINGING  UP  with 
its  baleful  influence,  which  has  brought  us  to  the  present  interesting, 
solemn,  and  affecting  scene. 

You  are  sensible,  my  christian  friends,  that  I  have  given  the  fullest 
evidence,  from  year  to  year,  that  it  was  my  heart's  desire  to  live  and  to 
die  with  you.  I  was  ready  to  exert  inyself,  a  reasonable  length  of  time, 
so  that  the  ministration  of  the  gospel  might  NOT  BE  BURDENSOME 
TO  any.  You  are  sensible  that  I  have,  accordingly,  devoted  a  consid- 
erable portion  ef  the  best  part  of  my  days  to  the  instruction  of  youth,  an 
arduous  pursuit,  important  in  itself ;  but  foreign  from  that  of  the  profes- 
sion, which,  from  an  early  age,  has  been  my  choice,  and  in  Avhich  I  hope 
to  persevere  to  the  last  verge  of  life.  You  are  likewise  sensible  that  I 
am  totally  unwilling  to  be  any  longer  engaged  in  a  twofold  employment, 
when  the  duties  of  the  pastoral  office  are  sufficient  to  engross  every  fac- 
ulty of  the  greatest  genius.  "  Though*  painful  to  dissolve  the  ties,  which 
at  present  unite  us,"  as  you  have  kindly  said  ;  yet,  after  due  considera- 
tion, 
*  Parish  records. 


I    4    ] 

ticn,  you  think  it  to  be  out  of  your  power,  under  existing  circumstances, 
to  agree  permanently  to  furnisli  that  habitation,  food,  and  raiment,  whieii 
the  exigences  of  my  station  require. 

In  the  disposal  of  an  allwise  Providence,  the  time  is  therefore  at 
hand,  when  we  must  part.  Where  my  future  lot  will  be  cast  is  known 
only  to  him,  who  holds  the  destmy  of  every  creature.  This,  however,  I 
may  venture  to  assert ;  in  whatever  situation  I  may  be  led  to  fix  my 
abode,  our  pi-ayers  will  continue  to  ascend  for  mutual  blessings.  In  your 
moments  of  retirement  and  devotion,  you  will  not  be  unmindful  of  him, 
ivho,  with  fear  and  trembling,  has  been  over  you  in  the  Lord.  I  am  per- 
suaded that  you  will  ever  rejoice  to  hear  of  the  welfare  of  one,  at  separ- 
ating from  whom,  be  it  spoken  with  modesty,  you  have  manifested  a  re- 
spectful and  tender  regret.  IF  I  FORGET  this  part  of  the  walls  of 
JERUSALEM,  LET  MY  RIGHT  HAND  FORGET  HER  CUN- 
NING. 

As  a  becoming  guide  to  a  few  suggestions,  on  the  present  occasion, 
you  will  permit  me  to  adopt  those  words  of  saint  Paul,  which  you  will 
iind  in  the  thirteenth  chapter  of  his  second  epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  at 
the  eleventh  verse. 

FINALLY,  BRETHREN,  FAREWELL.  BE  PERFECT.  BE 
OF  GOOD  COMFORT.  BE  OF  ONE  MIND.  LIVE  IN  PEACE  ; 
AND  THE  GOD  OF  LOVE  AND  PEACE  SHALL  BE  WITH 
YOU. 

After  giving,  in  this  address,  a  very  solemn  valediction,  the  apos- 
tle proceeds  to  offer  several  directions,  which  are  now  proposed  for  the 
serious  considei-ation  of  my  esteemed  friends  of  this  society,  and  which, 
if  duly  observed,  will  be  of  temporal  and  eternal  moment. 

I.  BE  PERFECT.  The  original  of  this  expressicn  sometimes  sig- 
nifies to  put  those  things,*  which  are  in  disorder,  into  their  place.  This 
direction,  applied  to  the  Corinthians,  was  of  peculiar  pertinence  ;  for, 
after  Paul  left  them,  a  Jewish  teacher  gained  introduction,  created  a 
factious  spirit,  and  made  an  alarming  schism  in  the  church.  One  great 
design  of  the  apostle,  in  his  epistles  to  these  people,  was  to  counteract 
the  ill  effects  of  his  opposer's  influence  and  to  restore  to  order  those,  who 
liad  been  seduced  from  the  truth  of  the  gospel. 

It  may  be  furtlicr  observed  that  the  original  also  signifies  to  become 
more  and  more  established  in  order.  In  this  sense,  the  direction  is  of  uni- 
versal importance  to  the  lovei-s  of  Jesus. 

Ma? 
*  Lcigli'i  Critica  Sacra. 


[    5    1 

May  you,  my  christian  friends,  ever  be  delighted  with  that  regulaiv 
moral  and  religious  deportment,  which  becomes  the  followers  of  the 
Lamb.  God  foi-bid  that  any  false  teacher  should  ever  make  divisioes 
among  you.  Remember,  however,  that,  at  the  present  day,  while  some 
openly  deny  the  truths  of  revelation,  and,  with  a  phalanx  of  sophistry  and 
blasphemy,  seem  as  if  they  would  assail  the  very  throne  of  heaven  ;  there 
are  others,  who,  under  the  garb  of  pretended  fidelity  and  zeal  in  the 
Redeemer's  cause,  seek  the  defenceless  flock  to  decoy,  harrass,  and  de- 
vour. Far  be  it  from  me  to  suspect  THAT,  AFTER  MY  DEPART- 
ING, GRIEVOUS  WOLVES  SHALL  ENTER  IN  AMONG  YOU. 
If  they  should,  it  will  be  through  failure  of  your  own  vigilance,  under 
him,  who  has  ever  been  your  guardian,  if  you  fall  into  their  rapacious 
fangs  a  helpless  prey.  Keep  your  lamps  trimmed  and  burning.  Take 
no  complacency  in  the  specious  representations  of  those,  who  make  the 
law  and  the  prophets,  Christ  and  the  apostles,  hang  upon  unrequired  and 
unessential  modes  and  forms.  Be  not  carried  away  Avith  every  wind  cf 
doctrine.  Adhere,  with  inflexible  perseverance,  to  the  plain  and  simple 
precepts  and  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  Let  Christ  and  his  cross  be  the 
glory  of  your  faith.  THEREFORE,  MY  BELOVED  BRETHREN, 
BE  PERFECT.  BE  YE  STEDFAST,  UNMOVEABLE,  AL- 
WAYS ABOUNDING  IN  THE  WORK  OF  THE  LORD. 

II.  BE  OF  GOOD  COMFORT.  This  direction  follows  that, 
■which  we  have  just  considered,  in  nature  as  well,  as  in  order.  When  the 
membei's  of  a  christian  community  are  regular  in  their  observance  of  the 
ordinances  of  the  gospel,  and  are  harmoniously  united  to  withstand  the 
attacks  of  the  artful  and  designing,  they  have  a  foundation  to  BE  OF 
GOOD  COMFORT.  The  Corinthians  were  happily  recovered,  by  the 
eloquence  and  the  energy  of  the  apostle's  writings,  from  the  ruin,  with 
•which  they  had  been  threatened.  They  were,  therefore,  exhorted  to 
that  satisfaction  and  joy,  which  their  situation  seemed  to  inspire. 

We  may  farther  consider  them  as  encouraged  to  BE  OF  GOOD 
COMFORT,  not  only,  under  the  idea  of  their  restoration  to  order,  when 
they  had  been  broken  and  divided  by  the  preaching  of  the  Jewish  innova- 
tor ;  but,  in  faithfully  attending  to  all  the  divine  commands  and  to  all  the 
counsels,  warnings,  and  threats,  which  they  had  received  from  Paul.  He 
had  revealed  to  them  the  will  of  God  for  enlightening  their  understand- 
ings, for  raising  their  hopes,  and  for  extending  their  views  beyond  the 
grave.  Thc^'  had,  therefore,  abundant  reason  to  BE  OF  GOOD  COM- 
FORT. 

PeR3IIT 


[    6    ]■ 

Per  BUT  me,  my  christian  friends,  to  suggest  that  this  direction  m^y^ 
with  no  impropriety,  be  offered  to  you.  The  time  has  been,  when  your 
parochial  embarrassments  were  greater,  tlian  at  present.  In  course  of  a 
few  years,  to  your  commendation  be  it  spoken,  in  addition  to  tlie  defray- 
ment of  stated  charges,  you  have  Hberally  contributed  to  repair  and  or- 
nament this  house*  of  God.  Be  thankful  to  the  great  HEAD  OF  THE 
CHURCH  for  all  the  blessings  you  enjoy  ;  that  your  society  has  ever 
been  preserved  from  unhappy  divisions ;  that  you  have  been  indulged 
with  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel  in  their  simplicity  and  purity  ;  and  that 
you  and  your  children  still  worship  in  the  place,  where  your  fathers  were 
were  wont  to  i-ejoice  in  the  God  of  their  salvation. 

Be  persuaded  to  profit  by  all  the  reasoning  OF  RIGHTEOUSNESS, 
TEMPERANCE,  AND  JUDGEMENT  TO  COME,  and  by  all  the  ex- 
liortations  to  faith  and  charity,  which  have  ever  been  brought  to  your 
consideration  with  pastoral  fidelity,  affection,  and  zeal. 

While  the  speaker  regrets,  on  jjcur  account,  that  the  means  could 
not  have  been  afforded  to  make  him  so  useful,  as  Providence  \yould  have 
enabled  him,  under  more  eligible  circumstances,  to  have  been,  he  is  far 
from  boasting  of  the  manner,  in  which  he  has  improved  the  talent  en- 
trusted to  his  care.  He  would  address  you  in  the  language  of  Paul. 
AND  I,  BRETHREN,  WHEN  I  CAME  TO  YOU,  CAME  NOT 
WITH  EXCELLENCY  OF  SPEECH  OR  OF  WISDOM,  DE- 
CLARING UNTO  YOU  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  GOD.  FOR  I 
DETERMINED  NOT  TO  KNOW  ANY  THING  AMONG  YOU, 
SAVE  JESUS  CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  AND  I  WAS 
WITH  YOU  IN  WEAKNESS,  AND  IN  FEAR,  AND  IN  MUCH 
TREMBLING.  .AND  MY  SPEECH  AND  MY  PREACHING 
WAS  NOT  WITH  ENFiCING  WORDS  OF  MAN'S  WISDOM  ; 
BUT,  IN  THE  DEMONSTRATION  OF  THE  SPIRIT  AND  OF 
POWER,  THAT  YOUR  FAITH  SHOULD  NOT  STAND  IN 
THE  WISDOM  OF  MEN,  BUT  IN  THE  POWER  OF  GOD. 

III.  BE  OF  ONE  MIND.  This  direction  was  given  the  Corin- 
thians with  no  less  pertinence,  than  the  two  former.  They  had  been 
reduced  to  a  state  of  anarchy  and  contention.  Some  had  been  for  Paul, 
some  for  Apollos,  and  some  for  Cephas.  The  apostle  represented  to 
them,  in  effect,  that  they  ought  not  to  have  MEN'S  PERSONS  IN  AD- 
MIRATION, that  Jesus  Christ  was  not  sometimes  one  thing  and  some 

times 
*  .Yole  A. 


[    7    ] 

~times  another  ;  but,  that  all  the  divine  promises  "  consented*  and  stood 
firm  in  him  to  the  glory  of  God,"  and  that  the  servants  of  the  cross 
were  but  the  humble  instrument,  under  him,  for  making  known,  by  their 
preaching,  and  for  enforcing,  by  their  example,  the  exeellence  of  the  gos- 
pel. It  was  his  earnest  desire  that,  being  restored  to  order  and  harmonj^, 
they  should  be  of  one  mind,  as  to  the  great  and  essential  truths  of  religion. 

May  this  richest  of  blessings  ever  be  the  privilege  of  this  christian 
flock.  May  all  belonging  to  it  in  a  collective  view,  and  may  the  respec- 
tive branches  of  the  vai'ious  families,  which  compose  it,  in  their  social 
and  domestic  circles,  ever  experienee  HOW  GOOD  AND  HOW 
PLEASANT  IT  IS  FOR  BRETHREN  TO  DWELL  TOGETHER 
IN  UNITY. 

IV.  LIVE  IN  PEACE.  The  apostle  in  this  direction  exhorted  the 
Corinthians  to  their  best  interest  as  well,  as  to  their  duty.  While  torn 
by  the  faction  of  antichristian  controversy,  they  were  in  a  state  of  confu- 
sion, than  which  nothing  is  more  foreign  to  the  spirit  of  Jesus.  We  know 
that  our  holy  religion  is  the  offspring  of  heaven,  because  it  proclaims 
PEACE  UPON  EARTH  AND  GOOD  WILL  TO  MEN.  Those, 
who  sincerely  embrace  it,  will  exhibit  its  benignaiit  influence  in  all  their 
deportment.  They  will  not  only  have  its  form,  but  they  will  feel  its 
power  in  their  soul.  It  will  consequently  ever  be  their  delight  to  study 
and  to  follow  the  THINGS,  WHICH  MAKE  FOR  PEACE.  The 
glorious  effects  will  necessarily  ensue,  and  they  will  be  manifest  in  all 
the  walks  of  life.  The  poor  of  this  world  will  abound  in  that  FAITH, 
WITHOUT  WHICH  IT  IS  IMPOSSIBLE  TO  PLEASE  GOD.  Tlie 
rich  will  lay  up  their  TREASURES  IN  HEAVEN,  WHERE  NEI- 
THER MOTH  NOR  RUST  DOTH  CORRUPT.  The  unlettered  will 
have  a  knowledge  superior  to  that  of  Greece  and  Rome.  The  most 
leanied  will  be  the  most  MEEK  AND  LOWLY  IN  HEART.  Tlie 
subject  will  yield  a  cheerful  obedience  to  the  rightful  laws  of  his  country. 
The  sovereign  v»ill  command,  but  to  add  to  the  happiness  of  mankind. 
Individuals  will  become  angels  in  disposition.  Tliose  of  the  same  family 
will  cease  to  be  at  variance.  Communities  will  be  blessed  with  order, 
harmony,  and  love  ;  and  nations  will  learn  war  no  more. 

How  awful  is  the  spectacle,  v/here  we  witness  a  defiance  of  this  heav^ 
enly  direction,  LIVE  IN  PEACE.  There  we  behold  anger,  hatred,  mal- 
ice, and  revenge.     Those,  who  become  slaves  to  tlieir  fur)-,  are  the  most 
■wretched  of  the  human  race.    A  greater  curse  upon  earth  cannot  befal 
*  7     ,  a  man, 


[    8    ] 

a  man,  than  to  be  doomed  to  associate  with  such.  They  are  an  antitype 
of  hell.  Who  then  would  not  delight  in  the  religion  of  Jesus  ?  It  is  this, 
■which  subdues  the  vile  affections  of  the  heart,  breathes  peace  to  the 
•world,  smoothes  the  bed  -of  death,  and  fills  the  departing  soul  with  joy, 
which  all  creation  can  neither  give  nor  take  away. 

It  has  often  been  said  that  virtue  In  general  has  a  great  reward  in 
the  present  life.  There  is  certainly  much  truth  in  the  observation,  as  it 
respects  those,  who  LIVE  IN  PEACE.  The  man,  who  is  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  principle  inculcated  in  this  direction^  feels  no  hateful  pas- 
sion rankling  in  his  breast.  IN  his  TONGUE  IS  THE  LAW  OF 
KINDNESS.  The  very  act  of  performing  a  friendly  deed  strows  his 
path  with  every  delightful  flower.  On  the  other  hand,  he,  whose  dispo- 
sition is  such  as  to  be  continually  adding  to  the  flames  of  dissension,  or 
wounding  the  feelings  of  his  fellow  creatures  by  unmerited  and  ungener- 
ous behavior,  vexatious  disputations,  and  slanderous  aspersions,  fixes  a 
vulture  upon  his  own  vitals,  which,  like  those  of  the  fabled  Tityus,  will 
never  cease  to  gnaw. 

Therefore,  my  christian  friends,  LIVE  IN  PEACE.  Your  pre- 
sent and  future  happiness,  the  good  of  society,  and  the  interest  of  the 
Redeemer  require  it. 

The  esta!)libhraent  of  the  gospel  ministry  is  appointed  by  the  Most 
High,  for  promoting  that  pacific  disposition  and  intercourse  in  the  world, 
■which  the  apostle  enjoins.  THE  LORD  HATH  ORDAINED  THAT 
THEY,  WHO  PREACH  THE  GOSPEL,  SHOULD  LIVE  OF  THE 
GOSPEL.  Is  it  not  then  lamentable  that  they  have  so  little  encourage- 
ment, at  the  present  day  ?  Is  there  any  class  of  men,  who  were  more 
active  in  effecting,  and  is  there  any  class  of  men,  who  have  suffered 
more,  in  a  pecuniary  sense,  in  consequence  of  obtaining  our  national  lib- 
erty and  independence  ?  But,  I  will  not  wound  your  feelings  by  dwelling 
upon  this  too  general  evil.  I  know  your  peculiar  situation.  I  know  the 
kindly  disposition  of  my  friends.      I  will  drop  the'subject. 

The  task,  which  devolves  upon  the  teachers  of  religion,  is  infinitely 
Hiomentous.  Where  they  have  the  indispensable  gifts  and  graces  and 
the  means  as  well,  as  the  inclination  to  devote  themselves  wholly  to  the 
arduous  work  of  defending  and  promoting  the  cause  of  Zion,  happy  must 
be  the  people,  with  whom  the  labors  of  such  are  spent. 

The  writers  of  romance  have  often   racked  their  invention  to  de- 
scribe a  terrestrial  paradise  ;  but  what  can  afford  a  more  beautiful  em- 
blem 


C    9    ] 

fclem  of  heaven  upon  earth,  than  the  parochial  scene  of  a  faithful  minis* 
ter  and  a  virtuous  people  ? 

Mere  temporal  happiness,  however,  is  but  a  secondary  considera- 
tion. Our  highest  privilege,  in  the  present  state,  consists  in  the  full  en- 
joyment of  those  means,  which  are  the  best  calculated  to  secure  an  IN- 
HERIT ANCE  IN  THE  KINGDOM  OF  CHRIST  AND  OF  GOD. 

Although  your  venerable  senior  pastor  have  gotten  beyond  the  pe- 
riod of  activity  and  usefulness  ;  and  although  it  be  expedient  for  his  un- 
worthy colleague  to  leave  a  people,  with  whom  he  has  often  taken 
SWEE  r  CO  JNSEL  ;  BE  OF  GOOD  COMFORT.  Fail  not  to  exert 
yourselves  for  the  reestablishment  of  the  ministry  among  you.  This  is 
the  happiest  method  for  promoting  that  peace  and  unanimity,  in  society, 
"Which  the  apostle  enjoins.  Measures  may  be  adopted  J:o  effect  so  desira- 
ble an  object,  no  doubt,  better  now,  than  when  my  abode  was  first  fixed 
in  this  place,  although  not  in  that  liberal  v/ay,  which  the  benevolence  of 
many  would  prescribe.  BE  NOT  WEARY  IN  WELL  DOING  j 
FOR  IN  DUE  SEASON  YOU  SHALL  REAP  IF  YOU  FAINT 
KOT.  Some  Joshua  will  be  raised  up  to  lead  you  to  the  possession  of  the 
heavenly  Canaan.  LIVE  IN  PEACE  ;  AND  THE  GOD  OF  LOVE 
AND  PEACE  SHALL  BE  WITH  YOU. 

Many  ideas  rush  upon  my  mind  ;  but  it  is  too  painful  to  give  theiix 
titterance.  A  few  concise  addresses  must,  therefore,  close  this  valedic- 
tory discourse. 

I.  My  aged  friends,  how  many  of  your  companions  have  left  this 
mortal  stage*,  and  are  crumbling  into  dust,  while  you  ai-e  left  still  to  tot- 
ter on  the  brink  of  the  grave  I  Permit  me  to  remind  you,  as  I  have  ofteii 
done,  that  the  time  of  your  departure  is  nigh  at  hand.  Have  you  fought 
the  good  fight  ?  Have  you  kept  the  faith  ?  There  is  but  a  step  between 
you  and  death.  May  you  be  supported,  under  all  the  infirmities  of  yoar 
advanced  and  declining  years,  by  that  good  and  gracious  Being,  who  has 
prolonged  your  pilgrimage  upon  earth.  May  you  have  all  those  consola- 
tions, which  are  so  important  to  the  peace  of  the  soul,  in  the  near  pros- 
pect of  the  eternal  world.  God  grant  that  you  may  finish  your  course 
•with  joy,  and  at  last  find  an  abundant  entrance  into  that  happy  region, 
■where  there  are  rivers  of  pleasure  forevermore. 

II.  Friends  in  the  meridian  of  life,  be  pleased  to  accept  my  best 
■wishes  that  prosperity  may  attend  you  in  every  laudable  pursuit.  May 
your  SONS  BE  AS  PLANTS  GROWN  UP  IN  TH£IR  YOUTH, 

B  itnd 

*  Mle  B, 


t       lO      ] 

and   your  DAUGHTERS,    AS   CORNER    STONES,    POLISHED 
AFTER  THE  SIMILITUDE  OF  A  PALACE. 

During  the  period  of  my  residence  among  you,  I  have  often  rejoiced, 
when  you  had  occasion  to  rejoice  ;  and  my  tears  have  often  been  mingled 
with  yours.  How  many  times  have  I  been  called  to  witness  the  tortures 
of  disease,  the  anxiety  of  weeping  friends,  the  struggling  gasp  for  life,  the 
pangs  of  dissolving  nature  !  How  many  times  have  I  followed  your  co- 
temporaries,  brothers,  sisters,  parents,  children,  and  the  partners  of 
your  bosom  to  the  grave,  and  have  discharged  the  last  offices  of  duty  and 
respect  !  How  distressing  and  tender  has  been  the  scene  I  But,  vs^hy 
should  I  carry  you  to  the  tomb  ?  Why  should  I  open  those  wounds  afresh, 
■which  liave  scarcely  ceased  to  bleed  ?  Rather  let  us  consider  that  ALL 
ARE  OF  THE  DUST  AND  ALL  TURN  TO  DUST  AGAIN  ;  but, 
that  the  time  is  coming,  when,  at  the  voice  of  the  archangel's  trump, 
evei-y  one  will  rise  from  the  dead  and  receive,  at  the  hands  of  a  merciful 
God,  a  just  award. 

Suffer  a  word  of  exhortation.  Endeavor  to  realise  the  great  end 
of  your  present  existence.  Nothing  can  claim  a  higher  regard,  than  the 
religion  of  Jesus.  Forget  not  that  the  honors  and  the  riches,  which  you 
have  acquired,  or  which  you  ai-e,  perhaps,  eagerly  pursuing,  will  afford 
no  satisfaction  in  the  hour  of  death.  Strive  for  that  crown  of  glory, 
which  will  never  fade.     LAY  UP  YOUR  TREASURES  IN  HEAVEN. 

It  is  to  those  of  your  standing  principally  that  the  young  look  for  an 
example,  as  to  the  great  duties  of  life.  Your  observance  or  neglect  of 
those  interesting  duties,  thci-efore,  often  gives  a  stamp  to  their  character. 
Are  you  blessed  with  children  or  domestics,  who  reverence  your  conduat, 
as  a  law  from  heaven  ?  How  painful  to  the  departing  soul  will  be  the  re- 
proaches of  conscience,  if  you  shall  have   shghted  this  precious  charge  ! 

May  you  ever  live  in  the  love  and  fear  of  God.  May  you  enjoy  a 
length  of  days,  upon  earth,  distinguished  by  activity  and  usefulness  ; 
and,  at  last,  through  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer,  be  received  into  the 
mansions  of  eternal  blessedness. 

HI.  My  young  friends,  you  are  sensible  that  I  have  endeavored  to 
devote  no  small  attention*  to  your  noblest  interest.  Many  of  you  have 
availed  yourselves  of  the  opportunity,  and  have  made  a  progress,  in 
treasuring  up  moral  and  religious  instruction,  which  does  honor  to  your 
capacity  and  industry,  and  which,  as  you  advance  to  riper  years,  will 
afford  a  heartfelt  delight.    LITTLE  CHILDREN,  IT  IS  THE  LAST 

TIME 
*Mte  C, 


C   II   1 

TIME,  FAREWELL  !  LET  THAT,  THEREFORE,  ABIDE  IN 
YOU,  WHICH  YE  HAVE  HEARD  FROM  THE  BEGINNING. 
OBEY  YOUR  PARENTS  IN  THE  LORD.  FEAR  GOD  AND 
KEEP  HIS  COMMANDMENTS. 

Although  you  are  blessed  -with  parents,  bi'others,  sisters,  and  asso- 
ciates, the  time  will  soon  arrive,  when  you  and  they  must  part.  Your 
cheeks  now  glow  with  the  bloom  of  health  and  life  exhibits  many  en- 
chanting prospects  ;  yet  ALL  FLESH  IS  GRASS  AND  ALL  THE 
GOODLINESS  THEREOF  AS  A  FLOWER  OF  THE  FIELD.  Not 
unfrequently  have  I  been  called  in  pi'ovidence  to  follow  those  of  your 
age  to  the  dark  and  silent  grave,  where  they  are  mouldering  into  dust. 
Nothing  is  more  uncertain,  than  life. 

Therefore,  seize  the  moments  as  they  pass.  Daily  reflect  on  tha^ 
solemn  scene,  which  none  of  us  can  shun,  and  which  is  ever  nigh.  En- 
deavor continually  to  conduct  in  such  a  manner  that  God  may  be  your 
unfailing  friend,  and  that,  when  you  are  called  from  time  into  eternity, 
you  may  be  carried  by  angels  mto  Abraham's  bosom  and  be  happy  for- 
ever. 

IV.  To  the  members  of  thi?  respe(;table  congregation  I  am  happy  to 
acknowledge  the  candor,  with  which  my  ministrations  have  been  at- 
tended ;  but  lament  that  I  have  not  been  more  faithful  and  successful  in 
the  great  and  important  woi'k,  of  which  I  must  one  day  give  a  most  so- 
lemn account. ,  You  will  accept  the  oblation  of  a  grateful  heart  for  all  the 
tokens  of  kindness,  attention,  and  respect,  which  you  have  been  please 
to  show  to  me  and  my  family.     May  you  be  remunerated  a  hundredfold 

•  in  this  life,  and,  in  the  world  to  come,  with  an  infinite  reward. 

V.  Dearly  beloved  of  this  christian  church,  although  a  wise  Prov- 
idence has  ordered  that  I  should  be  released  from  my  present  pastoral 
relation  ;  yet  let  us  mutually  cherish  that  affection,  which  becomes  the 
followers  of  the  Lamb.  We  have  had  repeated  breaches,  upon  our  num, 
ber,  which  call  for  reflection,  humility,  and  resignation. 

May  you  be  built  up  in  faith,  hope,  and  charity,  until  you  shall  join 
the  church  triumphant  in  heaven.  Cease  not  to  pray  for  this  chris- 
tian flock  ;  that  it  may  not  be  scattered,  like  sheep  upon  the  mountains 
■without  a  shepherd  ;  that  a  pastor  may  soon  be  provided,  who  shall  be 
faithful  in  dispensing  the  everlasting  truths  of  the  gospel,  and  whose  la- 
bors in  this  part  of  the  vineyard  shall  be  honored  with  t'ae  happiest  suc- 
cess 5  and  that  our  aged  friend,  for  half  a  century  the  affectionate  and 

esteemed 


[  12  J 

esteemed  mlnistet^f  this  people,  may  be  spared  so  long^,  as  life  can  be  a 
comfort  and  a  blessing. 

May  he  and  his  consort,  like  Zech arias  and  Ehzabeth  of  old,  eve» 
walk  IN  ALL  THE  COMMANDMENTS  AND  ORDINANCES  OF 
THE  LORD  BLAMELESS,  that,  when  they  shall  sleep  in  dust,  their 
children  and  their  children's  children  may  have  cause  to  RISE  UP  AND 
CALL  THEM  BLESSED. 

May  we  all  so  profit  by  the  means  of  grace,  with  which  we  are  fa- 
vored, as  at  last  to  meet  our  Judge  in  peace  ;  and  oh,  that  we  may  be  to 
each  other  a  crown  of  rejoicing,  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  I  Then  shall  we 
unite  with  the  church  of  the  first  born,  whose  names  are  written  in  heavenj 
never,  never,  never  to  part. 

FINALLY,  BRETHREN,    FAREWELL. 

BE    PERFECT. 

BE  OF  GOOD  COMFORT.    BE  OF  ONE  MIND. 

LIVE  IN  PEACE;  AND  THE  GOD   OF  LOVE  AND  PEAC5 

SHALL  BE  WITH  YOU. 

AMEN, 


NOTE  A. 

IN  1800,  the  South  Church  in  Portsmouth  was  altered,  repaired,  an3 
ornamented,  through  the  voluntary,  generous,  and  spirited  exertions  of  a 
respectable  number  of  its  proprietors. 

A  HANDSOME  projection  of  a  semieHptical  form^  the  subtense  of  whicll 
is  thirtyfour  feet,  was  made  in  the  front  gallery,  in  order  to  accommo- 
date the  singers.  The  ill  looking  braces,  which  had  been  set  into  the  posts 
and  beams  were  taken  out.  In  lieu  of  them,  substantial  wooden  knees 
were  substituted.  Tlie  walls  were  turned  with  an  arch.  The  posts  were 
cased.  The  inside  of  the  building  was  neatly  painted.  The  poich  in 
front  was  also  erected. 

NOTE    B. 

The  number  of  deaths,  which  happened  among  the  people  of  the  South 
Parish  from  the  20  November,  1799,  to  the  12  of  August,  1805,  amounts 
to  one  hundred  and  seventjlwo.  Of  these  two  were  m  their  ninetieth 
year,  six  were  between  eighty  and  ninety,  eight  between  seventy  and 
eighty,  thirteen  between  sixty  and  seventy,  thirteen  between  fifty  and  six- 
ty, sixtyfive  between  twenty  and  fifty,  seventeen  between  six  and  t\yen- 
fy,  and  fortyeight  were  under  the  age  of  six  years.  Twenty  of  tlie 
4eceased  were  memlsers  of  the  church. 

NOTE    C. 

A  DILIGENT  exercise  of  the  memory  is  the  best  expedient  for  giving 
ftrength  to  that  faculty  of  the  mind.  If  the  leisure  moments  of  early  life 
be  employed  in  treasuring  up  moral  and  religious  truths,  this  important 
object  will  be  effected,  and  a  good  foundation  will  be  laid  against  the  time 
to  come. 

Under  the  influence  of  these  considerations,  frequent  opportunities, 
from  1  January,  1S02,  were  affDrded  the  youtii  of  my  pastoral  charge  to 
repeat,  memoriter,  such  lessons,  as  I  thought  proper  to  prescribe,  and  as 
they  were  able  to  get. 

THESE  CONSISTED  IN  MANY  SELECT  CHAPTERS  FROBI  THE  BI- 
BLE ;  watts'  CATECHISMS,  DIVINE  SONGS,  PSALMS,  AND  HY»iNS  ; 
MASON  ON  SELF  KKOWLKDGK;  POPE's  ESSAY  ON  MAN  ;  AND  VARI- 
OUS OTHER  WELL  WRITTEN  PRODUCTIONS,  IN  POETRY  AND  PRDSE, 
OF    A    MORAL    AND    RELIGIOUS    NATURE. 

To  raise  a  laudable  ambition,  it  was  mv  custom  to  accredit  all,  in  my 
church  records,  for  the  lessons  they  recited.  As  a  further  stimulus  to 
excel,  at  the  close  of  each  vear,  they,  who  learned  five  hundred 
VERSES  m  the  bible,  or  their  equivalent  in  the  ether  things  proposed, 
received  a  neatly  printed  certificate  for  such  a  commendable  improve- 
ment ot  their  time.  During  my  ministry  in  this  town  one  hundred  and 
thu'tyhve  masters  and  misses  attended  to  this  exercise.  The  nuiT.i)er  ot 
certificates  on  the  foregoing  plan,  >vhich  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  bt;btow, 
amounted  to  suTVNiNE.       -    '  » 

APPE^^J)IX. 


APPENDIX. 


RESULT  OF  AN  ECCLESIASTICAL   COUNCIL. 

A  T  a  mutual  Ecclesiastical  Council  convened  at  Portsmouth,  Nevv-r 
•^  hampshire,  on  Wednesday,  31  July,  18Q5,  at  the  house  of  the 
feverend  Timothy  ALDEN,the  Junior  Pastor  of  the  South  Church  and 
Congregation  in  said  toAvn  by  letters  missive  from  him  and  them  jointly, 
setting  forth  that,  whereas  the  Junior  Pastor  of  said  Church  and  Congre- 
gation, in  consequence  of  the  insufficient  support  he  has  received,  or  has 
a  prospect  of  receiving,  thinks  it  expedient  that  his  pastoral  relation  to 
said  Church  and  Congregation  should  cease  ; 

Said  Council  being  called  in  order  to  effect  an  honorable  separation 
pf  said  Pastor  and  People,   the  meeting  being  opened  with  prayer,  the 

reverend  mr.  AlDEN     and  the  committee  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  said 

Church  and  Congregation  appeared  and  stated  that,  in  their  mutual  con- 
tract, at  the  time  of  his  ordination,  20  November,  1799,  it  was  provided 
thai;,  if  the  said  Church  and  Congi'egation  should  be  induced,  for  certain 
reaiions,  to  represent  to  mr,  Alden,  by  a  major  vote  of  the  parishioners 
Jeg?dly  called  for  that  purpose,  their  inability  further  to  comply  with  their 
said  contract,  it  is  declared  that  the  said  contract,  on  the  part  of  the  par-  . 
ish,  should  cease,  six  months  after  notification  of  said  vote  should  be  made 
to  t  lie  pastor.  And  on  the  part  of  mr,  Alden,  it  was  agreed  that,  if,  for 
certain  reasons,  he  should  consider  his  further  residence  with  them  in- 
convenient, he  might  demand  a  dismission  from  them,  six  months  after  he 
sho'ald  see  fit  to  notify  his  request. 

A.ND  whereas  mr,  Alden,  in  consequence  of  his  support  being  insufR« 
cient,  did,  on  the  23  day  of  April  last,  notify  said  parish  lliat,  in  six  months 
frora  that  date,  his  pastoral  relation  to  them  would  be  dissolved,  confor- 
inahly  to  said  contract,  and  whereas  said  parish  expi'essed  to  mr.  Aldeit 
their  inability  to  prevent  the  occasion  of  his  removal  by  compliance  with 
his  jpi'oposals  of  addition  to  his  salary  and  it  was  therefore  supposed  ne- 
cessiry,  however  painful,  that  a  separation  must  take  place  ; 

This  Council,  therefore,  after  taking  all  the  premises  into  serious 
consideration,  with  pleasure  express  their  high  satisfaction  in  finding  no 
.kind  of  disaffection  between  the  Pastor  and  People  ;  but  deeply  regret 

and 


[    ^5    t 

and  lament  that  a  separation  should  take  place,  merely  for  want  of  sviipi 
port,  where  so  mnch  love  and  harmony  are  mutually  expressed.  But,  if 
such  an  event,  so  much  to  be  lamented,  must  take  place,  it  appears  to 
this  Council,  by  the  contract  aforesaid,  that  mr.  Alden's  pastoral  rela- 
tion to  the  Church  and  People  aforesaid  will  cease  on  the  23  day  of  Octo- 
ber next,  as  he  will  then  have  given  them  the  notice  required  by  the  con- 
tract. But,  if  mr.  Alden  think  it  expedient  to  ask  his  dismission  before 
the  expiration  of  that  time,  we  advise  that  his  request  be  granted. 

We  rejoice  to  find  that  mr.  Alden's  chai-acter  has  not  in  the  least 
degree,  nor  in  any  one  instance  been  impeached  ;  on  the  contrary,  he  is 
in  full  standing  in  the  Church  and  in  the  Gospel  Ministry.  We,  there- 
fore, do  cordially  recommend  him  to  the  notice  and  employment  of  the 
Churches  of  Christ,  Avhereever  God  in  his  providence  shall  call  him  and 
Hvish  him  prosperity  and  good  success  in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord, 

Dear  brethren  of  this  Church  and  Congregation,  it  is  truly  a  painful 
task,  to  which  you  have  called  us,  to  dissolve  the  connexion  between  you 
and  your  pastor,  to  whoui  you  have  expressed  a  strong  attachment,  whose 
ministration  you  have  professed  to  attend  with  great  pleasure  ;  from 
whose  instructions,  therefore,  there  was  reason  to  hope  you  might  derive 
infinite  advantage  to  yourselves  and  families.  What  occasion  have  you 
to  be  humbled  under  the  frown  of  Providence  and  to  look  to  the  great 
hepherd  of  the  flock  to  take  you  under  his  holy  protection,  keep  you  ia 
perfect  peace,  and  speedily  give  you  a  pastor  after  his  own  heart. 

To  his  care  we  commend  you,  fervently  praying  that  he  would  sanc- 
tify the  various  dispensations  of  his  Providence  to  your  spiritual  good  and 
preserve  you  blameless  unto  the  day  of  the  Lord. 

Signed,  JOHN  TOMPSON,  Moderator,  per  order. 

Attest,  SAMUEL  STEARNS,  Scribe. 

Pastors  and  Delegates  present,  who  composed  this  Council. 
REV.  JOHN  TOMPSON,  DOCTOR  IVORY  HOVEY, 

JONATHAN  FRENCH,  SEN.     SAMUEL  FARRAR,  ESQ. 

JOSEPH  BUCIvMlNSTERjD.D.  COL.  ELIPHALET   LADD, 

' JOSEPH  LITCHFIELD,  HON.  JUDGE  CUTTS, 

SAMUEL  STEARNS,  ELIJAH  STEARNS,  ESQ. 

REC0M?4ENDATI0N 


r  .6  3 

RECOMMENDATION  UNANIMOUSLY  VOTED   BY  THE 

CHURCH  AND  CONGREGx\TION  OF  THE  SOUTH 

PARISH  IN  PORTSMOUTH. 

TO  ALL  TO  WHOM  THESeI'RESENTS  SHALL  COME, 

"IXrHEREAS  existing  circumstances  have  rendered  it  necessary 
that  the  pastoral  connexion  should  cease,  between  the  rever- 
end Timothy  Aldb:n,  jun.  and  the  South  Church  and  Congregation  iii 
Portsmouth,  and  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  mutually  chosen  for  that  pur- 
pose having  sanctioned  such  separation,  the  cause  of  which  is  fully  ex- 
plained in  the  result  of  the  aforesaid  Council  ; 

We,  the  undersigned,  a  joint  committee  of  the  Church  and  Congre- 
gation aforesaid,  appointed  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  members  of  the 
Church  and  Congregation,  at  a  legal  meeting  hield  on  the  12th  day  of 
August,  A.  D.  1305,  to  prepare  and  deliver  to  the  reverend  mr.  Alden  a 
LETTKK  oi-  KEcoMMKNDATioN,  cxprcssivc  of  the  attachment  and  affec- 
tion, which  they  entertain  towards  him  and  uf  their  regret  at  the  separa- 
tion ; 

Do  now,  in  the  fullest  and  most  cordial  nlanner,  recommend  hino  to 
all  christian  Churches,  whereever  he  may  be  invited  to  bestow  his  minis- 
terial labors  ;  and,  with  much  pleasure,  we  say  that,  dui'ing  the  six  years 
of  his  ministry  with  us,  his  public  and  private  character  has  been,  not 
only  irreproachable,  blit  such  as  to  win  the  esteem  and  love  of  his  people  ; 
that  it  is  with  much  sorrow,  on  the  part  of  the  aforesaid  Church  and 
Congregation,  that  a  separation  has  been  found  necessary  ;  and  that  no 
other  cause,  than  the  one  assigned  in  the  result  of  theEcclesiastical.Coun- 

«il  aforesaid  has  occasioned  it. 

PAUL  LAIGHTON, 

JOHN  MARSHALL, 
AMOS  FERNALD, 
.     THOMAS  SHEAFE, 
JOSEPH  HAVEN, 
JAMES  SHAPLEY, 
NATHANAEL  A,  HAVEN, 
LUKE  MILLS  LAIGHTON. 
Portsmouth,  12  August,  1805. 

FINIS. 


'r/^r^^^ 


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